US ANTI-DOPING – KNOW THE RULES

by | Dec 7, 2018 | Advice

Please note, information on Anti-Doping applies to athletes who want to train and compete at a National or International Meet. (the following applies to all athletes, young and seasoned). 🙂 But there is useful information regarding supplements which some of our athletes consume.

US ANTI-DOPING –

KNOW THE RULES: Anyone can be chosen at anytime any meet any where to be drug tested.  Athletes are responsible for complying with the current rules in place. IF selected for drug testing,:

  • You must abide with the rules, most common method is the 90 ml of urine that is taken for a sample.
  • There will be two cups taken (a) (b).
    • One will be used for testing; the other will be used for retesting.
    • Sample testing can take 30 minutes up to 8 hours
      • Blood test can also be used; athlete must sit and wait for 20 minuets prior to blood being drawn.

All items will have the same identification code, i.e. 15978 (for anonymity) samples are kept for 10 year period if retesting must be completed.

For up-to-date information visit following websites:

To find which drugs are banned visit the following website: Globaldro.com

If you are hospitalized and admitted to the hospital for any reason, IV’s given are also considered a banned substance, ensure you have a TUE (this applies to Track & Field as well as Triathletes).

Takeaways

There are no health codes or rules for companies who make supplements. They don’t have to identify what ingredients are in their products. It was reported, 1/3 of athletes took  supplements that were tainted.  There are over 75,000 supplements on the market, many have contamination or cross-contamination, last year over 53,000 visited the emergency rooms from side effects of toxic materials in supplements. (Steer clear of items that are branded  or stating they will make you “bigger” “faster” “stronger”)

You can have your supplements tested by a 3rd party. If you’re going to purchase or use supplements, do your homework and ask:

  • Who makes the product?
  • Where is it made? (Country, Origin)
  • Where are the products produced?
  • Inquire about purity products.
  • Look at the back of the label, “Proprietary Blend” which basically means they don’t have to disclose what is in their product by law.

Ensure you research Substances Prohibited at all Times (In and Out of Competition)

  • Anabolic Agents  (testosterone), nandrolone, SARMs)
  • Peptide Hormones, Growth Factors, (hgh)
  • Beta-2 Agonists – all routes of administration
  • Hormone and Metabolic Modulators – insulin, tamoxifen, clomiphene
  • Diuretics and Masking Agents, hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide, plasma expanders
  • Non-Approved substances, anything that has not been approved, discontinued drugs
  • Substances Prohibited in particular sports – Beta-Blockers

Substances prohibited in-Competition only: Cannabinoids, Marijuana, Hashish, synthetic products, like spice, K2, cocaine, glucocorticoids (prednisone, prednisolone, betamethasone)

On a separate note, I find it ironic that the last statement (marijuana, cocaine, etc, cannot be used during competition but can be used when you’re not competing, unlike insulin that one would need i.e. diabetes).